The Church 1914

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The Church 1914

A derelict 1914 Presbyterian church rescued from demolition. Invercargill's most unique stay. ⛪

Now four luxury suites with 9.5m pressed tin ceilings, stained glass windows, and home-cooked breakfast.

26/07/2026

A sad day for us yesterday as Liberty crossed the Rainbow Bridge and was reunited with her brother Meeker. Fourteen years and eight months is an incredible age for a small dog. We are grieving her passing as is Brooklyn who was forever by her side when her illnesses worsened.

Liberty loved chicken, cheese, going for walks in the front pack and sleeping on the heated pad in her bed (she often shared this with Brooklyn!) Brooklyn has been increasingly by her side as she became more unwell - he’s missing her too and often goes to her bed and sniffs it.

She was a ‘Mummy’s girl’ and for such a small dog, she had a big presence is our hearts, and the church.

Rest In Peace Liberty 💔 x

Our heartfelt thanks to David, our wonderful vet from Waikiwi Vet Services who has been with us throughout Liberty’s health journey. I appreciate how hard that was for him, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. We appreciated David and the staff for all they did for Liberty and us. 💛

20/07/2026

We were incredibly blessed with the kindness given to our family from guests who stayed with us last week. Our hearts are filled with gratitude.❤️We’re wishing that they both will be blessed ten-fold. 💛

30/06/2026

Meet the Chenal Charlton. 🤍

This one's for the couples.

Top floor. Private balcony. The room we saved for last.

Named in honour of Andy's beloved granddad, this is our Honeymoon Suite and quietly the most special corner of the whole church. At 42m², it's our largest room, and every inch of it was made for couples who want to slow right down.

Here's what's waiting for you:
🛏️ A king bed dressed in 100% pure cotton Wallace Cotton linen
🌅 A north-facing balcony with views over Invercargill and the parks
🚿 A double walk-in shower with twin shower heads and soft LED lighting
💡 Antique pineapple glass lights (a little bit of magic overhead)
🔥 Underfloor heating and a cast iron radiator for those frosty Southland nights
🍳 A home-cooked breakfast to wake up to

Pour a wine on the balcony. Watch the sun go down over the city. Stay a little longer than you planned.

23/06/2026

Meet the Andy Ralph Room 🤍

Every room in The Church 1914 has a story. This one belongs to the man who built it.

Andy project managed the entire restoration of this church while running a dairy farm at the same time. He had no formal training but taught himself plumbing, electrical, building, joinery, and tiling along the way. Whatever the tradespeople needed, Andy figured it out and got it done.

This room is the result of that tenacity. And honestly, it shows.

Here's what's waiting for you:
🏛️ 34m² ground floor suite with soaring 4-metre ceilings
✨ Original arched windows lit by a trio of Art Deco retro lights
🛏️ King bed with Wallace Cotton linens and electric blankets
🚿 Generous walk-in ensuite with white chevron tiles and matte black dual shower heads
🖤 Matte black tapware, heated towel rails, and electric blinds
🤍 Monogrammed robes, complimentary Netflix and home-cooked breakfast every morning

The biggest of our suites so far in this series. Spacious, grounded, and built by the man whose name is on the door.

Priced from $350 a night.

Three down, one to go. The final room in our series is the showstopper 👀

🔗 See more and check availability: https://thechurch1914.co.nz/andy-ralph-room/

18/06/2026

This is why we do what we do 🤍⛪

11/06/2026

Meet the C. Ann Room 🤍

Every room in The Church 1914 has a story. This one is a tribute to two remarkable women.

The C. Ann Room is named after Carolyn Ann and Sharyon's mother, Christine Ann. They were the ones behind the scenes, the ones who believed in the vision from the very beginning. They took a keen interest in every design decision, every renovation milestone, and never stopped encouraging Andy and Sharyon to keep going. This room exists because they did.

Here's what's waiting for you:
🪶 28m² of calm, dressed in soft grey tones
🛏️ King bed with Wallace Cotton linens and a pillow menu
💡 Repurposed antique fire extinguisher lamp (yes, really)
🪹1 Two velvet mustard chairs with a round coffee table
✨ Mother Teresa and religious artwork creating a peaceful atmosphere
🚿 Spacious ensuite with subway tiles, skylight, and dual showerheads
🤍 Monogrammed robes, complimentary Netflix and breakfast every morning

Refined comfort with real character. A room that feels like it was made for a winter weekend away.

Priced from $350 a night.

This is the second in our wee series introducing each of our four suites. Two down, two to go 👀

🔗 See more and check availability: https://thechurch1914.co.nz/c-ann-room-3/

02/06/2026

Meet the Ingram Dromgool Room 🤍

Every room in The Church 1914 has a story. This one is personal.

It's named after Sharyon's father, who laid thousands of tiles and bricks throughout the church during the restoration. Even after he retired, he'd drive his campervan all the way down from the North Island and stay for weeks at a time to keep working.

His visits always seemed to coincide with Bluff oyster season 🦪 Funny, that.

Here's what's waiting for you:
☁️ 22m² of calm, painted in a soothing blue
✨ Two skylights that flood the room with natural light
💡 Four original Art Deco lights with crystal diffusers
🛏️ King bed with Wallace Cotton linens and electric blankets
🚿 White subway tiled ensuite with dual shower heads, heated towel rails and its own skylight
🤍 Monogrammed robes, complimentary Netflix and home-cooked breakfast every morning

It's our most intimate suite. Small in size, big on character.

Priced from $300 a night.

This is the first in a wee series introducing each of our four suites. Stay tuned for the next one 👀

🔗 See more and check availability:
https://thechurch1914.co.nz/ingram-dromgool-room-2/

23/05/2026

Love making jam for guests from homegrown produce. Cranberry jam, Feijoa and Apple, and Feijoa and Ginger. Yum!
Looking forward to making Tomato soup and Passetta with the last of our Summer crop.

03/05/2026

⛪ Welcome to The Church 1914

Built in 1914. Rescued from demolition. Restored over 11 years with thousands of hours and one obsessive eye for detail.

Andy and Sharyon Ralph turned a derelict Knox Presbyterian Church into four luxury suites unlike anything else in New Zealand. This isn't just a place to sleep. It's a stay you'll still be talking about long after you get home.

Here's what's waiting for you:
🛏 Four beautifully styled ensuite suites
✨ 12m pressed tin ceilings and original arched windows
🍳 Delicious breakfast included every morning
☕ T2 teas and welcome drinks on arrival
💑 The Chenal Charlton honeymoon suite, 42m² with a private balcony and double shower
♿ Ground floor suite with accessibility in mind

"Absolutely magical. The attention to detail is incredible."

📍 201 Ness Street, Invercargill, minutes from Bluff oysters, Oreti Beach, Queens Park and the Southern Lights

The kind of winter escape you actually remember.
👉 Book direct at thechurch1914.co.nz

29/04/2026

Brooklyn is admiring the autumn hues in the garden. 🤎🧡💛

Address

201 Ness Street
Invercargill
9810

Website

http://thechurch1914.co.nz/

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